Police Blotter

Published: Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 11:16 a.m. CST

Newton Police Department

• James M. Coon, 59, of Newton was charged with fourth-degree theft after officers at the Grinnell Police Department received a report of a stolen Walmart shopping card from Engineering Plastic Corporation on Aug. 7. An investigation determined the card was used at the Newton Walmart at 1:50 p.m. July 20. Walmart surveillance footage identified James Coon as the person using the card to purchase $224.24 in personal items. Coon told Newton police investigators he found the shopping card at the Grinnell Walmart and admitted to using it at the Newton Walmart. He was released to appear in court.

• Joshua D. Johnson, 16, of Newton was charged with possession of marijuana and cited for possession of tobacco after an officer witnessed him smoking a cigarette in the children’s forest behind Newton Senior High School. The officer asked Johnson to empty his pockets, but after emptying them Johnson kept playing with something in his pocket. The officer asked him to place his hands on the car and when the officer began to search him, Johnson pulled away and admitted he had a baggie of marijuana. Johnson then put the baggie in his mouth, in an attempt to swallow it, but the officer retrieved it from his mouth.

• Cody D. Laird, 20, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft after officers were dispatched at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday to Walmart on report of a theft. Loss prevention staff observed Laird conceal a six-piece file set and two decal stickers and attempt to leave the store. He was placed in jail.

• Kylar J. Schwabe, 18, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree criminal mischief after officers were dispatched at 8:45 p.m. Monday to 106 N. 15th Ave. W. on a report of a broken flagpole. Officers had already been called to the house previously on a report of Schwabe damaging the flagpole, but the owner of the flagpole decided not to press charges the first time. The total damage caused was $150. He was released to appear in court.

• Robert G. Yeutsy, 83, of Newton was cited for failure to yield while making a left hand turn after officers were dispatched at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday to South Eighth Avenue East and East 17th Street South on a report of an accident. Yeutsy was struck by a vehicle driven by Robert E. Coram, 49, of Harvey after Yeutsy turned in front of Coram as he was driving through the intersection. The accident caused an estimated $800 of damage to Coram’s car and $1,500 to Yeutsy’s.

• A 14-year-old male was charged with second-degree criminal mischief after officers were dispatched on Sept. 1 to Berg school on a report of vandalism. Surveillance footage taken at 2 a.m. Sept. 1 indicated that the 14-year-old and other unidentified people had broken AC units, storm drains and a camera. They caused $9,300 in damage.

• Two 15-year-olds were charged with second-degree criminal mischief after officers were dispatched at 3 a.m. Aug. 13 to the southeast Newton area on report of vandalism. In that area, officers found a Swastika and the words “Respect Hitler” spray painted on Aurora Heights. A sign also was destroyed at The Way Church. The total damaged caused was $2,215.78.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 16 and older.